Does Asbestos Siding Need To Be Removed

Sealing includes using specially created products that are designed to coat an asbestos product and bind the fibers together permanently.

Does asbestos siding need to be removed.

If you own a home that was built before 1989 there is a chance that you have asbestos somewhere within it. Toxic particles will stay where they are and the exterior will be safe to be near if it is complete and uncut. Then you can choose to replace your roof with slate steel or asphalt shingles or your siding with vinyl asbestos free fiber cement or steel. Unless asbestos siding is disturbed it doesn t pose a significant health hazard and does not need to be removed.

Installing vinyl siding will require disturbing the asbestos by nailing into it. Asbestos has been linked to asbestosis and mesothelioma lung diseases caused by breathing asbestos fibers. A lot of homes built prior to 1989 has asbestos siding. Asbestos siding may be on the outside of the home and it needs to be removed.

Continue reading below our video of the day. Scraping or brushing off old paint from asbestos siding is necessary before repainting but dangerous because it can release small asbestos fibres the approach of removing the old shingles and replacing them with new siding is an option that many homeowners have pursued though probably not as safely as they should. Cutting sanding or breaking asbestos cement tiles poses a distinct health hazard. Asbestos siding in most cases is a non friable material it means that siding is not easily releases it s fibers into the air as long as it is not disturbed by cutting it with a saw.

Cement asbestos siding tiles do not need to be removed simply because they contain asbestos. Asbestosis irritates and scars the lung tissues while the more dangerous mesothelioma causes a type of cancer that is often fatal. There is no legal requirement to do so nor is there significant real estate benefit. While health and safety should be of concern fully removing them may not be required.

The hard brittle shingle siding and roofing that was used on many homes before 1980 often contained asbestos and should be tested before being disturbed or removed. This way even if the asbestos is disturbed the fibers will not be released. A professional asbestos abatement team can quickly legally and safely remove your existing roof or siding and handle the disposal of this material. Epa suggests that if you opt not to have asbestos materials removed you should seal or cover them.

If asbestos is found to be present the following safety precautions should be taken if the siding or roofing is disturbed or removed.